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London developer submits flats plans for Pudding Lane, Maidstone

A London developer has submitted plans for more flats in a troubled town centre street.

If given the green light, four new homes would be introduced to Invicta House in Pudding Lane, Maidstone.

Plans to build four flats at Invicta Hosue in Pudding Lane, Maidstone, have been submitted to the council. Picture: Sibley Pares
Plans to build four flats at Invicta Hosue in Pudding Lane, Maidstone, have been submitted to the council. Picture: Sibley Pares

A planning application to change ground and first floor offices at the former Watchfinder Co. outlines proposals to turn it into three one-bedroom flats and a two-bedroom flat.

If approved, the flats would be between Number Nine hairdressing and wedding shop Yours Truly Bridal House.

There would be three one-bedroom homes on the first floor and a two-bedroom flat on the first floor.

The flats, which have been proposed by London-based applicant Sunil Gulshan and developer Design Group Nine Limited, would join a part of Maidstone town centre which has been criticised for anti-social behaviour and violence.

Last January neighbours and business owners in Pudding Lane set up a residents' society for the road which they said had been "blighted by crime" since the arrival of council tenants re-housed by the London boroughs of Newnham and Waltham Forest.

The 2,000 sq ft office space is found between a hairdressers and wedding shop. Picture: Sibley Pares
The 2,000 sq ft office space is found between a hairdressers and wedding shop. Picture: Sibley Pares
If approved, three one-bedroom flats and a two-bedroom flat would replace office space. Picture: Sibley Pares
If approved, three one-bedroom flats and a two-bedroom flat would replace office space. Picture: Sibley Pares

The month before a pregnant mother was stabbed in her Star House flat and there was a fight in the street where a hammer and knife were wielded.

A woman was airlifted to hospital in a serious condition after a fire took hold in a fourth floor flat opposite Star House and there has been frequent concerns and tales of constant drunken and drug-induced aggressive behaviour.

In February, Wayne Duck was fatally injured after a fight which happened between the Herbalist bar and the Old House at Home pub in Pudding Lane.

The plans sparked some concerns about noise concerns for residents of the new properties.

However, comments on one of the planning applications said: "The ground floor has two commercial units – a hairdressers and a wedding shop – neither of which have noise concerns and only during trading hours.

The street has been plagued with anti-social behaviour and violence in recent years
The street has been plagued with anti-social behaviour and violence in recent years

"The front is onto the street which does not have any major noise producers locally and the rear faces onto a yard area with limited access and little use except during trading hours."

An acoustic assessment from a consultant company said the main source of noise from the street would be traffic at the front and mechanical noises at the rear.

You can view the plans at here with reference 22/505354/PNMA.

Estate agents Sibley Pares had advertised the 2,000 sq ft office space on the market to be let at £29,000 per year.

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